Deception - WWII Resistance / Holocaust Novel

chapter 46: torture

Trigger Warning: Violence & Self Harm

They strip me of my stockings and any other piece of clothing so that I did not 'strangle' myself.

I shiver on the floor.

It's cold and dark.

I pull my knees to my chest and wrap my arms around my body.

It soon becomes difficult to tell the difference between hours and days.

When last did I eat?

My stomach burns and my head begins to ache.

The door to the cell slams open, 'Get up!'

A brown bag is thrown over my head and I am gripped forcefully by the arm as I am escorted out of the cell. I'm led to another room, shoved into a chair and told to sit down. The hood is ripped off my head.

'The prisoner is ready!' The soldier shouts.

Seconds later, Karl von Eberstein waltzes into the room.

'Good morning, Miss de Jong, how are you doing?' he asks coolly as he grabs the chair on the opposite end of the table and sits down. 'I do not think I need to introduce myself as we've met before however now it is under unfortunate circumstances that we meet again. But for the sake of formality, I'll introduce myself again. My name is Karl von Eberstein, chief of the gestapo.'

'If you co-operate, you will live longer, tell me everything and I will see that you have something to eat and that you have warm clothing. Remember your life depends on your co-operation from now on. Understood?'

I didn't respond and remained expressionless.

'Good,' von Eberstein smiled. 'Let's begin.' He slid a file across the table and begins to glance through it. 'Is your real name Mieke de Jong?'

I nod slowly.

'Good. See how easy that was?' He smiled. 'My understanding is that the Dutch resistance is made up of various disorganised groups. It's such a shame that so many lives are lost through futile acts of resistance,' he pouts and pretends to care. 'What is the name of the resistance group which you are working for?'

I remained silent and von Eberstein repeated the question.

Again, I did not respond.

Von Eberstein gave an exaggerated sigh, 'I did not want to do this.' He gestured for the soldier to come forward. He began to bound my hands and ankles to the chair.

'What is the name of the resistance group which you are working for?'

Once again, I did not respond and a blow was instantly delivered to my jaw. I cried out in shock.

'Who is the leader of your group?'

'Where is your group based?'

'What are the names of your contacts?'

'What are the addresses of the safe houses?'

'What are the names of the British agents in the area?'

Von Eberstein's voice grew louder with every question and with every question left unanswered another blow was delivered to my body. I was breathless, my skin burned and muscles ached.

Seeing that I still remained silent, von Eberstein gestured for the soldier and spoke so low that I could not make out the words. The soldier left the room and returned with another.

I felt the ropes being untied from my hands and ankles, 'Up!'

My hands were tied behind my back.

Soon I heard the sound of running water and I was led over to the corner of the room until my legs hit the metal bath. Without warning my head was thrust under water, icy-cold water gushing over my mouth and nose, filling my lungs.

Then I was drowning.

I must have lost consciousness for the next thing I knew I was back in the chair and bright light was being shone in my face.

I squinted my eyes, dazed.

'Open your eyes!' The soldier barked. 'She's awake.'

Then Von Eberstein's face was next to mine, 'Are you ready to speak Miss de Jong? Are you ready to tell me the location and names of your little resistance group?'

When I didn't answer he frowned and stuck out his lower lip.

He stood up and directed the soldier over to me, 'Again.'

The hood was shoved back over my head, the chair tipped back and then water gushed over my face.

I was drowning again.

A/N First update of 2022! Sorry for the wait, I am back at work so things have been busy. I hope you all are well <3 Please do not forget to vote, it means everything to me thank you!